Thursday, 3 August 2017

A MAN (35) from Bulawayo’s Nkulumane suburb has died in
hospital after a mysterious fire severely burnt him at a neighbour’s home.

It is suspected that Given Moyo was having an affair with
the neighbour. Witnesses said Moyo was aflame but appeared unaware that he was
burning up while at his neighbour’s, only identified as NaLloyd.

“A man who was passing saw him and pointed out that he was
on fire. He advised him to roll on the ground to put the fire out. Since it was
afternoon, a crowd rushed to douse the flames. He was severely burnt but still
seemed unaware that he was hurt,” said a resident who declined to be named.

NaLloyd refuted allegations that she had a sexual
relationship with Moyo and started sobbing uncontrollably during an interview
yesterday.

The shocking fire incident which occurred in May has left
tongues wagging and Moyo who had been admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital since
then, died last Friday.

Residents are now speculating that Moyo could have been
burnt by a supernatural fire as he could not feel its heat.

“He was only quizzed by onlookers why he was not taking
action when he was burning. It’s possible he caught fire while cleaning
amangqina/mazondo at NaLloyd’s place. No one can really explain this,” said one
of the residents.

The resident said Moyo’s wife works outside Bulawayo while
NaLloyd’s husband was based in South Africa.

Moyo’s family declined to shed light on the matter saying
NaLloyd knew better. She confirmed that the incident occurred at her house while
she had gone to attend to a client at a nearby salon.

“We were skinning amangqina/mazondo together but I left
after I had received a client at the salon. While I was still attending to my
client someone rushed in saying there is someone who was burning up at my
place. I said the only person who was at my place was saMoza (Moyo),” she said.

NaLloyd said when she dashed back to her home she found
that Moyo had been severely burnt.

“When I arrived I was told that with the extent of his
burns women were not supposed to come close. A grandpa who saw his burning body
said he found the gate slightly open while he was in flames. He was not moving
when I got there,” said NaLloyd.

She refuted the claims that the two were having an affair,
describing Moyo as “her son.”

“I heard the story (that we were having an affair) but it’s
a lie. There is nothing like that. And the person who is making those
allegations should come and stand by his/her claims. It’s just someone who
wants to soil my name,” she said before breaking into tears.

Although she accused her neighbours of being involved in
tarnishing her image, she said they can testify that she was not sleeping with
Moyo.

“I was close to his family. Given entrance to my house was
not a new thing neither was it a secret. Even NaThamu (one of the neighbours)
can testify I was close to this family. How can they claim I was in love with
Given.” chronicle